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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






2. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






3. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






4. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






5. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






6. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






7. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






8. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






9. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






10. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






11. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






12. A repeated phrase.






13. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






14. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






15. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






16. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






17. A separate section of a larger composition.






18. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






19. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






20. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






21. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






22. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






23. System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note.






24. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






25. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






26. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






27. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






28. Pertains to tone or tones.






29. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






30. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






31. A string of chords played in succession.






32. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






33. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






34. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






35. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






36. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






37. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






38. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






39. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






40. A separate section of a larger composition.






41. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






42. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






43. A direction to play expressively.






44. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






45. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






46. A group singing in unison.






47. A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone.






48. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






49. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






50. A direction to play expressively.







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